Book launches and reviews

Nottingham in 2010

The Greater Nottingham Partnership has recently published Greater Nottingham in the 21st Century: reflections on the future (Nottingham Trent University, The Work Institute, 2000, ISBN 1 84233 039X), a compendium of ideas discussing how the city might look a decade into the new Millennium. Contributors include Bob Cullen, City Council Leader Graham Chapman, Dame Pat Morgan-Webb of New College, city centre manager Jane Ellis, and Nottingham Trent vice chancellor Ray Cowell. The book is well worth dipping into – it is too large, and too dense, for much else – if only to get a flavour of where Nottingham might be going in manufacturing and services, education and health care, crime, new technology, and governance, a concept which I had not previously come across when used in the form employed here.

John Beckett

Great Nottinghamshire Gardens

This new publication, researched and written by Thoroton council member Philip Jones, was launched at Rufford Country Park on 8 August by Nottinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Colin Bromfield. The book includes a brief historical description of 14 Nottinghamshire gardens, including Bromley House, Thrumpton Hall, Wollaton Hall, Woodthorpe Park, the Arborteum, and Nottingham University’s Millennium Garden. It gives details on current planting and information on access, and contains illustrations in full colour. It will be of interest to local historians and gardeners as well as to the county’s many visitors each year.

Great Nottinghamshire Gardens costs £5.99 and is on sale at larger libraries (including Nottingham Central), major bookshops, and through the bookstall at Thoroton Society events.

City Heritage Series

Nottingham City Council’s Local Studies Library has joined forces with The Local History Press to launch a series of popular local history books. The series is edited by local historian Steve Zaleski, and the first two books – which Steve has also written! – will be launched in September by Councillor Leon Unczur, Chair of the Cultural and Community Services Strategic Board. One book is on royal visits to Nottingham, and the other on Nottingham canal. If you want to know more about the series, contact Susan Griffiths at The Local History Press Ltd, 3 Devonshire Promenade, Lenton, NG7 2DS.